Composition Only - Bare Bones Equipment

Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra

12/03/2004 12:17:04 PM · #1

This is to challenge the photographer in you, and level the equipment playing field. Just like my old photography teacher would tell me: forget about the equipment, get a $2 camera (it was a while back) and practice composition.

For this challenge go outside (no indoor or studio shots) and take your best picture with a "bare bones" camera--you must use a 2.5 megapixel or lower resolution point and shoot camera to capture your image. You may reduce, apply levels, adjust saturation and sharpen, but may not crop or otherwise alter the image. Again, your shot must be taken outdoors (no studio shots).

Tiberius

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

12/03/2004 12:28:15 PM · #2

I have the right camera: founder
I would like it!

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra

12/03/2004 12:28:45 PM · #3

This might be tough since most of us have a >2.5 megapixel camera and probably won't buy a new one for a challenge.

Why not just an unmodified camera shot, taken in- or out-of-doors, natural light only, no studio shots, no post-processing permitted at all (including crop).

This would allow everyone to use their current camera and/or lens combo, but level the playing field with respect to studio and post-processing adjustments.

Now understand that you weren't suggesting buying a new camera, just shooting at lower res.

-J

Message edited by author 2004-12-03 12:31:57.

Tiberius

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

12/03/2004 12:32:41 PM · #4

Originally posted by strangeghost:

Cause I have no manual controls on my founder ;)

Canon EOS-20D

12/03/2004 12:32:45 PM · #5

Originally posted by strangeghost:

Because then all the dslr folks complain about how unfair it is because their images were meant to be post-processed and they don't look as good out of camera as a point and shoot, etc. etc.

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

12/03/2004 12:34:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by mk:

Because then all the dslr folks complain about how unfair it is because their images were meant to be post-processed and they don't look as good out of camera as a point and shoot, etc. etc.

I promise not to complain.
:-)

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/03/2004 01:04:16 PM · #7

Originally posted by mk:

Because then all the dslr folks complain about how unfair it is because their images were meant to be post-processed and they don't look as good out of camera as a point and shoot, etc. etc.

It's just what Canon tells us...

(click for larger version)

Message edited by author 2004-12-03 13:04:54.

12/03/2004 02:06:08 PM · #8

I would buy a camera for a single camera challenge if we could find one that was cheap enough. There is a lot of low end stuff showing up, maybe there is a fixed lens cheapo we could pick as the standard?

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/03/2004 02:10:04 PM · #9

Originally posted by Gordon:

It's just what Canon tells us...

I wasn't calling you liars, just summarizing the previous responses to this question.

arngrimur

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/03/2004 02:31:15 PM · #10

I like your idea Neil. I think that composition never gets to much attention.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

12/03/2004 02:49:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by nshapiro:

This, for the most part, sums up how I shoot to begin with. The only real variation is that I shoot at 6 megapixels. How would this be different that a basic editing challenge other than the resolution restriction? My next question is why does the resolution of the original have anything to do with it? It has to be sized down to 640 pixels before we submit here anyway.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/03/2004 02:55:36 PM · #12

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by nshapiro:
This is to challenge the photographer in you, and level the equipment playing field. Just like my old photography teacher would tell me: forget about the equipment, get a $2 camera (it was a while back) and practice composition.

For this challenge go outside (no indoor or studio shots) and take your best picture with a "bare bones" camera--you must use a 2.5 megapixel or lower resolution point and shoot camera to capture your image. You may reduce, apply levels, adjust saturation and sharpen, but may not crop or otherwise alter the image. Again, your shot must be taken outdoors (no studio shots).

This, for the most part, sums up how I shoot to begin with. The only real variation is that I shoot at 6 megapixels. How would this be different that a basic editing challenge other than the resolution restriction? My next question is why does the resolution of the original have anything to do with it? It has to be sized down to 640 pixels before we submit here anyway.

I think the goal was to limit the capabilities of the camera, not the resolution. There is always the perception that the equipment makes better photographs. Having a challenge with a "level playing field" is an interesting thought. Single model car racing is interesting because it's more about the drive and less about the car. A similar approach might be interesting here... of course I have modified the suggestion from bare bones to single model bare bones under $100, but the overall concept could be fun.

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

12/03/2004 03:20:27 PM · #13

Originally posted by mk:

Originally posted by strangeghost:
This might be tough since most of us have a >2.5 megapixel camera and probably won't buy a new one for a challenge.

Why not just an unmodified camera shot, taken in- or out-of-doors, natural light only, no studio shots, no post-processing permitted at all (including crop).

This would allow everyone to use their current camera and/or lens combo, but level the playing field with respect to studio and post-processing adjustments.

-J

Because then all the dslr folks complain about how unfair it is because their images were meant to be post-processed and they don't look as good out of camera as a point and shoot, etc. etc.

nope, canon users can put their cameras in parameter two or whatever parameter makes your images look really good straight outa camera.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/03/2004 03:44:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by hsteg:

nope, canon users can put their cameras in parameter two or whatever parameter makes your images look really good straight outa camera.

The previous reply was suppose to illustrate, at least from the point of view of Canon, that that isn't possible for the higher end cameras. It no doubt actually is, but Canon's sales and technical support people don't appear to believe it.

Message edited by author 2004-12-03 15:45:21.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/03/2004 03:44:51 PM · #15

Originally posted by mk:

Originally posted by Gordon:

It's just what Canon tells us...

I wasn't calling you liars, just summarizing the previous responses to this question.

I didn't think you were, just providing some supporting information from Canon.

12/03/2004 04:59:33 PM · #16

In answer to various interpretations, my intent was to "require" a very basic camera to simulate what my teacher asked us to do. In those days we were using twin lens reflexes, and the notion was to use a crappy brownie camera instead and focus only on the composition elements of the shot.

I don't know how to do it without excluding those who don't have or can't borrow (I would have to borrow my son's) point and shoot cameras. But perhaps that's not important. That part of my teachers assignment, I am sure, was really to get our mind off of the camera settings. (There was no automatic on our cameras back then.)

But also my side intent was to focus on how you compose as a photographer, not how good your equipment is, or how well your studio lighting works, etc.

scab-lab

Canon EOS-D60

12/03/2004 05:31:46 PM · #17

Neil, it sounds like your ready for some toy camera photography :) We use film, but the cameras are crappy ;) Toy Camera Website

Message edited by author 2004-12-03 17:32:35.

12/03/2004 05:56:46 PM · #18

Originally posted by scab-lab:

Neil, it sounds like your ready for some toy camera photography :) We use film, but the cameras are crappy ;) Toy Camera Website

Yes, I've visited there before, and I'll visit again later tonight. I am becoming a fan of Holgas, more as I started to consider impressionistic photography. I thought about proposing a Holga challenge, but most (including me) don't have a digital Holga nor one of those toy lenses to simulate one. Though maybe we should do it anyway! We're all resourceful people.

12/06/2004 10:16:37 AM · #19

How is this for bare bones, Oregon Scientific DS6639 for only $69 at Ritz Camera.
o Fixed f/2.8 lens (one step of digital zoom, but useless I'm sure)
o Exposure compenstation +/- 2.0 EV
To bad it doesn't have a bad plastic lens like the Holga.

Sometimes limitations are good because they force you to think in different ways!

12/06/2004 11:18:42 AM · #20

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

Interesting--I did a search though and they had it on sale for $49 till 11/27 (that's the beauty of cached search pages).

At $49, I'd really be tempted to get one to carry when in "hazardous" conditions where I wouldn't want a good camera. Or maybe I'd just rub vasoline on the lens and make it a holga. ;)